Cambam integration?

[krakenatwork]

Hi!

I started by posting this thread in the general machines forums, since nobody replied I thought about breaking the issue in more focused questions.

The first one follows:

- I already own Alibre Design Express and I'm planning a CNC build. Would Cambam be able to import data from Alibre?

- If the last answer is a "yes", is it somewhat streamlined? I mean, do I have to simply export the 3d model in some format (.step, .iges, whatever) and import it to Cambam to generate the g-code, or I'll have to make a set of .dwg files that would consist of a time-consuming and error-prone manual process of editing the .dwg files and pushing part of the drawing in layers?

- If the last question is a "no; it's a complex process", then can I automate this in some way? I can program shell scripts (MS .cmd/.bat, UNIX/LINUX csh, ksh, bash, perl, sed/awk, basic, vba, some C, not much c++/java) I'm not much of a developer, but I work as a sysadmin on many operating systems.

- This one's easy, I'd be using Mach3 on the machine. It should be as simple as taking the g-code output from cambam and then running it on Mach3 (well, after the machine/software is setup so they use the same units, the machine is setup properly and zeroed, part properly located and bolted on...)

All in all, I don't care if the initial setup is quite complex, but once the initial setup is done and the machine is in working order, I'd like to get a not-too-discouraging system to work with. That's the "design - convert - mill" process I'm interested about.

Thanks!

[blowlamp]

CamBam can read in stl and dxf files as 3D and 2/2.5D drawings respectively, but not iges or step.

There is quite a lot to learn in any CAM program, so it's going to be more involved than importing a solid and the CAM automatically producing the gcode.

You'll need to use dxf's for 2/2.5D work such as drilling, pocketing and profiling because it's simple and very effective. Use 3D for curved objects like phones, mice (computer and real) and anything else that's not of a mechanical, angular form.

There's plenty to read on the CamBam site too.

Martin.

[krakenatwork]

Thanks blowlamp!

I've had some APT and G-code courses in a past life, around 20 years ago... I remember the process was fun at the time, but quickly went repetitive. The CAM software were not already there and we used to do 2D only CAD in Unigraphics (Mcdonnell-Douglas workstations and a Digital VAX server). Basically every step had to be done in the CAD software, printed for reference and then programmed (mostly in ASCII form) according to the drawings. Good for a large production run but too much time consuming for a small (1-10) production. That's what I remember, and what I'd like to avoid.

Most of the stuff I'd do would fall in the 2.5D I guess, with some real 3D parts, being the minority.

So I guess the process for 2.5D would be:
- draw the part in Alibre (3D)
- create drawings from the part
- export drawings in DXF
- import part in CAMBAM and manage to get G-code, a process which I'll have to explore but I guess I'll have to define the billet/casting shape (I highly doubt I'll ever have any cast part made...) and some referencing.
- Import the G-code into Mach3, set the part placement, do a dry-run, then go.

I'll download Cambam/Cambam+ and have a look at the process (although I have nothing to run it on at the moment).

Thanks for the "reading" tip at www.cambam.info; I'll have a look there too.

Bye!

Thanks.

[lancut]

So I guess the process for 2.5D would be:
- draw the part in Alibre (3D)
- create drawings from the part
- export drawings in DXF

...also, you easily and efficiently draw parts in CamBam, it would save you importing steps

[krakenatwork]

Thanks lancut, I'll look at that.